Microlight club gets its first aircraft

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 4, Issue 13, 26 August 1986, Page 20

Microlight club gets its first aircraft

It was an historic occasion for the Waimarino Microlight Club when their newest investment, the first New Zealand made two-seater microlight, touched down in Raetihi recently. Laurie Jones and Grant Christian, both members of the club, piloted the aircraft from Hamilton on its official maiden flight from its place of manufacture in Te Kowhai, north-west of Hamilton. The two-seater Bantam was accompanied by an escort, a single-seater microlight piloted by Ken St John of Hamilton, who flew down for a joy ride. Both planes took about two and a half hours to reach Ohakune, including a refuelling stop at Hamilton. The new two-seaters cost around $ 1 3,000 to build and take only three to four days to put together. The original one-seaters were constructed of a material known as ceconite, similar to plastic, atop an aluminium frame. The double bantam consists of a lightweight aluminium body and sturdy sailcloth stretched over the wing frame. The plane has dual controls to enable an instructor to demonstrate flying techniques to a passenger, something impossible to do ' before. The two-seaters are so

popular that one-seater microlights are no longer manufactured. The double microlight can take a load of 34 stone. They are simple to pilot and are no worse to ride in than a light plane. Flying in a microlight is an unforgettable experience. The feeling of space is awesome and it is more than a little unsettling to be so close to thin air and at the mercy of gravity. The thrill is heightened by the wind which blows in your face and whips your hair back. A microlight is another of man's attempts to succeed in the ultimate test - to fly like a

bird without the restraints of metal and glass. When you are up there, it is easy to imagine that you have succeed ed. Fifteen members of the Waimarino club got together to buy the twin microlight. The club is keen to have more members or other interested bodies attending metings and it is confident that the two-seater microlight will be an encouragement. The new "baby" is the second in four months. Anita Jones, wife of pilot Laurie, beat them to the draw with the arrival of their baby daughter.